Thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me and my blog!
My name is Maria. I am a holistic nutritionist, food blogger, recipe developer, aspiring food photographer, and dog lover.
I created this blog to keep track of my recipes and share my passion for nutrition and wellness.
I know that many people still think that healthy food is boring, but I believe that it’s delicious and beautiful.
About My Recipes
I don’t count calories or follow any trendy diets. I just do my best to eat a variety of fresh whole foods.
My goal is to create clean eating balanced meals with good sources of protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates, healthy fats, lots of veggies, greens, and all other great tasting foods that are good for you.
Even though I am not vegetarian, many of my recipes are meatless or vegan. I learned a lot about the advantages of the vegetarian diet when I was attending the nutrition school and believe that most of us can benefit from eating more plants.
I also talk a lot about low-glycemic eating because I have a family history of obesity and type 2 diabetes. A few years ago, I started paying more attention to keeping my blood sugar stable and it has been working quite well for me.
Since I am not diabetic, this blog is not a blog for diabetics. It’s simply a blog with clean eating recipes that are often naturally low GI.
About My Work
In 2014, I completed the Applied Nutrition Diploma program at the Canadian Alive Academy of Natural Health and received my Holistic Nutritionist Certification.
Since then, I’ve been focusing on recipe development, food photography and freelance writing. My work has appeared on popular websites as well as in print.
Here are a few highlights:
- My recipes have been featured in many round-ups on websites such as Country Living, Buzzfeed, Graitist, Yummly, FaveHealthy Recipes, and many more;
- I wrote articles about healthy eating and cooking for the Vitamix blog;
- In addition to developing recipes for my blog, I also create recipes for Curious Cuisiniere;
- My recipes are available through the online meal planning service called EatLove;
- My recipe and photo for Chocolate and Raspberry Chia Pudding were published in Sweet Dreams Magazine (by Lisa Kochen & Backen, Germany).
About My Team
The members of my blogging team are:
- my husband who is the Chief Executive Taste Tester;
- my neighbor Carole who is my English Language Adviser;
- my dog Toby who is supposed to be my Executive Assistant but is constantly sleeping on the job (if you want to know more about Toby, read our Dog Adoption Story);
- our budgie Blue who is the Sound Engineer in charge of the pleasant work environment.
A Little Bit About Me
Here are a few facts I thought you might want to know about me:
- I learned how to cook by following recipes and carefully measuring ingredients;
- I am a Russian-born Canadian and now live in the most multicultural city in the world – Toronto (voted by me!);
- I read cookbooks like novels;
- I like to sew my own clothes;
- My favorite foods are coconut, chocolate, and raspberries.
Where to Find Me
Join me on my social media sites:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mariaushakova.blog/
- Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MariaUshakova
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/MariaUshakova.FanPage
Disclaimer
Even though I am a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, the nutrition information provided on my blog is not to be used as nutrition therapy of any kind. Consult your healthcare provider if you intend to change your diet. The information on this blog is for entertainment purposes only.
The images on this page are by Trevor Harris Photo.
Hello Maria,
I found your website, when I was googling how to make thyme tea. Voila, you popped up. This morning, as I sit at my computer in the US, we are beginning day 5 of self-isolation. My husband and I are seniors. I never thought of myself as old, until the worldwide epidemic hit. I love your website, your sense of humor, and your words. I will be following you on fb.
Also, we adopted our daughter from Russia. What part of Russia are you from? She is from Tyumen.
Stay well. Drink tea, and may we all breathe well.
Hope
Hi Hope! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It made my morning so much better 🙂 Isn’t it ironic that in times like these, when most of us are staying at home in isolation, we realize that we are all connected to each other in more ways than we’ve ever imagined. I am from Novosibirsk, which is not that far from Tyumen considering Russian distances. Stay home, stay safe, and hopefully, the situation will improve soon.
I’m just seeing your response now, as I am beginning my thyme tea regimen, since winter is around the corner. I have good friends who adopted their daughter from Novosibirsk.
Thank you for your warm response.
Be well,
Hope
Hi Hope! Great to have you back 🙂 I find it so interesting that your friends adopted their daughter from my home town. What a small world we live in!
We are looking into eating to stabilize our blood sugar, neither my husband or I are diabetic, we just want to be more healthy. One question though, I am allergic to tree nuts so what can I use to substitute. I am not allergic to peanuts, but am concerned about the fats.
Hi Stephanie! Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog :). I would suggest consulting someone who specializes in allergies to find a safe substitute for tree nuts.
The recipes I have looked at look fantastic I am writing a grocery list now!!
Hi Suzie! So glad you like them! Thank you for taking the time to check out my blog 🙂
I’m going to try your spelt pancakes and raspberry muffins I am enjoying your blog just found it I will post picture I may need to use black berries will that work thanks Denorah
Hi Deborah! Yes, blackberries should work just fine. Thanks for checking out my blog 🙂
Hello, Maria! I found your blog via Pinterest, and I am really enjoying reading. I have visited your beautiful city (long time ago), and visited within the Ukrainian community there. You have chosen a lovely place to live!
I am 60 and living with type 2 Diabetes, and trying to help others through a facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/livingwellwithdiabetes . It is intended as a support group and a source of internet resources to help those with Diabetes live healthier lives.
I appreciate this blog, and look forward to continued reading, cooking, …
Thank you so much for checking out my blog and taking the time to leave a comment! My blog is not focused on diabetic recipes but I do have a few low glycemic recipes so let me know if you try any :).
i’m glad I found your website. I’ve been looking for healthy recipes specially soups which my husband loves and for my children to enjoy. Dinner is our family bonding time where we enjoy each other. I will try the Hearty Chicken and White Beans Soup which ingredients we have here in the Philippines. We always have vegetables, fish and chicken as our food. T
he pictures shown are so hmm… yummy. Thanks Maria. Take care always.
Landed on your website and I look forward to trying these recipes out ! 🙂
Hi Carla! Thank you for checking out my website! I hope you’ll find some recipes to try 🙂